ARD UCH President, Dr Uthman Adedeji, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ibadan, confirming compliance with the national directive.

NAN reports that NARD had earlier directed its members nationwide to embark on an indefinite strike over the federal government’s failure to address its demands.

The demands include immediate reversal of the revised Professional Allowance, payment of outstanding promotion and salary arrears, and prompt disbursement of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, among others.

Adedeji said the strike was suspended after an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, during which NARD directed members nationwide, including those at UCH, to resume duties at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

He explained that the decision followed the federal government’s reversal of its stance on the revised professional allowance and a commitment to address other outstanding issues raised by the association.

He said that no new patients would be admitted at UCH until Wednesday morning, as doctors would use the period to properly hand over patients currently on admission to consultants.

According to him, patients who are stable will be discharged, while no new cases, including emergencies, will be accepted until full services resume at the scheduled time.

Adedeji added that some doctors might be granted additional time to manage critically ill patients beyond the handover window, subject to approval from the association’s leadership.

He reiterated the association’s commitment to patient care and urged the federal government to urgently address the demands of NARD to prevent further disruption in the health sector.

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The post Resident doctors suspend strike, resume work Wednesday appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Secretary General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, disclosed this in a Saturday statement, noting the decision followed extensive consultations among members nationwide, reflecting shared commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and collaboration efforts.

He explained the resolution was reached during an Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually, where participants encouraged continued engagement with government to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for doctors and patients.

According to the association, the planned action will commence at 12 a.m. Tuesday, involving members across federal, state, and private institutions, while maintaining openness to dialogue and timely resolution efforts ongoing.

The association emphasised the importance of reinstating the Professional Allowance Table, describing it as vital to enhancing welfare, boosting morale, and supporting retention of skilled medical professionals across the country nationwide.

It highlighted the need for prompt payment of promotion and salary arrears owed to resident doctors, expressing optimism that ongoing discussions would facilitate resolutions that benefitted practitioners and the healthcare system.

NARD further encouraged timely release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, noting that improved funding would enhance training opportunities, professional development, and overall capacity within Nigeria’s healthcare sector going forward.

The association reiterated the importance of settling outstanding allowance arrears, expressing confidence that collaborative efforts between stakeholders would ease financial pressures and reinforce commitment among resident doctors serving communities nationwide effectively.

Members were encouraged to remain united and focused, as leadership underscored that ongoing engagement aimed to secure fairness, strengthened working conditions, and promoted a more resilient and responsive healthcare system nationwide.

The association affirmed its commitment to sustained dialogue with authorities, expressing optimism that efforts would yield positive outcomes, while reinforcing its role in advancing the welfare and professional interests of members.

The Professional Allowance Table is designed to standardise doctors’ remuneration, ensuring consistency in payments and supporting improved administration across the national healthcare system framework.

Observers note that ongoing discussions between NARD and the federal government continued to provide opportunities for resolving welfare concerns, strengthening cooperation, and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services nationwide effectively.

Source: NAN

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The post Resident doctors to begin nationwide strike Tuesday appeared first on Frontpageng.

NARD National President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, announced the suspension on Saturday via his X handle @mohagirei, after an extraordinary National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the association.

Suleiman said the decision followed “a series of conciliatory meetings” with the federal government.

That, he said, culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, which outlined the status of the association’s 19-point demands.

He explained that among the outstanding issues was the payment of promotion arrears.

Suleiman also said that compilation of the arrears by Chief Medical Directors and Managing Directors had not been completed, although a four-week deadline had been set for payment.

He added that salary arrears were also expected to be cleared within four weeks in line with the agreement reached.

On the specialist allowance, Suleiman stated that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, had already issued a clear directive.

He also said the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission was expected to take necessary steps toward its implementation.

The NARD leader also noted that the committee report on the “Lokoja Five”—resident doctors disengaged from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja—recommended their reabsorption.

Suleiman said that was expected to be fully implemented within two weeks.

He said the MoU further stated that NARD and the federal government were finalising processes for addressing failed or omitted payments relating to the 25/35 per cent review and accoutrement allowance.

He said lists of residents due for upgrade were still being awaited from centre leaders to allow completion of the upgrade process, adding that the Post-Assessment Tool, PAT, had been released.

Suleiman stated that the issue of skipping and entry level placement had been resolved following a directive from the OHCSF, while all outstanding matters relating to house officers had also been settled.

He added that an interim directive had been issued to CMDs and MDs to stop what the association described as “obnoxious clauses” in locum engagements.

According to him, an advisory had been sent to health facility heads to limit excessive call duties and ensure adequate breaks for doctors.

He said committees set up to review the locum policy and regulate work hours were expected to produce comprehensive policy documents within two months.

Suleiman added that the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, process would continue as soon as possible, while the discussion on consultant cadre for other health professionals would form part of that engagement.

He added the special pensions committee was also expected to resume its sittings.

Suleiman said the NEC resolved to suspend the strike for four weeks “to allow room and show this uncommon gesture while we follow up implementation.”

He added: “Progress has been made, significantly, and this is simply because of the efforts and convictions of NARDites across the country.

“Mistakes have also been made. Kindly rest those mistakes solely on my shoulders as president.”

He added that the next phase would involve sustained engagement with Nigerians and the federal government during the four-week window.

“Failure to ensure the full implementation of the above A, B, C, D, will mean the lifting of the suspension on the strike by NEC and the resumption of the strike.

“The countdown for the four weeks shall start on Monday and shall be a daily reminder to Nigerians and the federal government to adequately use this ‘four weeks window’ justly and fully,” he said.

The November 1 strike—NARD’s latest in a series of industrial actions—was embarked on over unpaid arrears, stalled promotions, allowances, staffing gaps and other welfare-related grievances.

Source: NAN

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The post Resident doctors suspend strike, issue fresh 4-week deadline appeared first on Frontpageng.

The suspension was announced in an official statement signed by NARD’s National President, Dr Tope Osundara; Secretary-General, Dr Odunbaku Oluwasola; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Amobi Omoha.

According to the statement, the decision followed assurances from the federal government to address the association’s key demands.

“Recall that our association embarked on a five-day warning strike on September 12.

“Following the Federal Government’s commitment to address the issues outlined in our strike communiqué, along with the commencement of payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to members who were previously owed.

“The Association convened a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting on Saturday,” the statement reads.

The association explained that after due deliberations, and in consideration of the plight of Nigerians facing healthcare challenges amid economic hardship, the National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to suspend the strike effective Sunday.

It said the suspension allowed the government a two-week window to fully implement the demands outlined in the association’s communiqué.

NARD also called on the Oyo State government to comply with the 15-day ultimatum issued by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Oyo State branch.

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The association urged action on persistent issues affecting doctors at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

“Failure to do so will compel the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) of NARD to direct all members in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite solidarity strike,” the statement warned.

The association further urged other state governments to urgently address the welfare challenges facing resident doctors in their respective states.

“In line with the NEC resolution, members in state tertiary hospitals are empowered to continue their industrial action until their respective governments demonstrate a genuine commitment to resolving their concerns,” the statement reads.

NARD reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with all levels of government to achieve a healthier Nigeria.

The resident doctors began the strike to press for improved welfare, better working conditions, and the resolution of persistent challenges in the health sector.

In recent years, NARD has frequently resorted to industrial action to demand the payment of MRTF arrears, increased hazard allowances, replacement of exited doctors, and improved hospital infrastructure nationwide.

The current suspension is described as a temporary measure to ensure that patients can access medical care while the association monitors the government’s compliance with its commitments.

Source: NAN

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A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday to some health institutions including the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba; Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, and National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi Lagos, NOHIL, showed full compliance, as resident doctors were not seen working.

NARD, on Friday, declared a five-day warning strike following the expiration of a 24-hour ultimatum issued to the federal government after an earlier 10-day deadline lapsed on September 10 without resolution of their demands.

The issues raised by the doctors include the non-release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, non-payment of five months arrears arising from the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, as well as outstanding specialist and hazard allowances.

The strike coincides with ongoing industrial action by resident doctors in Abuja and Oyo State, and comes after NARD issued a 10-day ultimatum to relevant government agencies over unmet demands.

The President, Association of Residents Doctors, LUTH, Dr Benjamin Uyi, urged the federal government to address the demands of resident doctors before expiration of the five-day warning strike to  encourage the doctors go back to work.

Uyi said the demands of the  doctors were long overdue, and should have been addressed by the government earlier before now.

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According to him, the demands of the doctors centered on prioritising welfare of the doctors, to make their operations more conducive and motivating.

“Any doctor whose welfare is not met is already a risk to the patients.

“For any doctor to function optimally, his/ her physical, mental health and psychosocial needs must be balanced.

“The doctors are already burnt out and faced with excessive workload and work schedule, and the government is yet to prioritise their welfare,” Uyi said.

Speaking, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, NOHIL, Dr Babatunde Egberongbe, described the incident as “unfortunate”, decrying why FG must always allow strike in the health sector.

Egberongbe, who frowned at incessant industrial actions by health professionals, said it was a major contributing factor to the migration of health practitioners to other countries.

“The poor working conditions for the doctors are the major reasons why many of them are leaving the country to practise abroad.

“Presently, there are limited number of doctors in hospitals across the country, yet the government has not deemed it necessary to prioritise their welfare and demands.

“Let the government as a matter of urgency address our demands, because we are not asking for anything extraordinary,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The strike is scheduled to commence on Friday, 12th September 2025.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the General Secretary, Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Agbor Affiong, said the decision to embark on the strike was taken after the NARD online National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, which extended to the early hours of Thursday, 11th September 2025.

His words: “Arising from the NARD E-NEC meeting held on Wednesday, the 10th of September, 2025, which extended into the early hours of Thursday, the 11th of September, 2025, the NEC members unanimously resolved to embark on a five-day warning strike.

“The strike will commence at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 12th September 2025, and will end on Tuesday, 16th September 2025.

“All centres are hereby directed to duly inform their hospital managements and continue to press home our collective demands.”

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Mr Ado Bako, the Assistant Director, Information Public Relations, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Members of the association embarked on a seven-day warning strike on Monday to push home their demands on the federal government.

The demand is to secure the release of their colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola.

Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted in December 2023, along with her husband and nephew.

Her husband was later released, while Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity.

According to Bako, the measure was in line with extant law and not intended to undermine the legitimate concerns of medical professionals.

He added that the measure was to further ensure that essential healthcare services were not unduly disrupted to the detriment of the public.

He also said that the ministry was disappointed over NARD’s decision to embark on the seven-day warning strike.

He said NARD members disregarded all negotiations and plea attempts by the federal government to resolve the concerns.

Bako explained that the ministry, in collaboration with relevant security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, had been working to ensure immediate and safe rescue of Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

“High-level discussions and coordinated efforts are currently underway and we remain confident that these measures will lead to a positive outcome.

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“The ministry will not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety, improve the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors.

“Significant strides have been made in recent negotiations, and government has demonstrated good faith by addressing many of the concerns highlighted by NARD.

“The ministry finds the decision to proceed with this strike, in the midst of  ongoing discussions, deeply regrettable.”

He, however, said that continued dialogue was the best approach to resolving outstanding issues.

He encouraged the doctors to return to the negotiation table so that stakeholders could collaboratively find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the nation’s healthcare sector.

Bako added that the ministry was open to constructive dialogue and committed to working with stakeholders to achieve a fair and sustainable resolution.

Source: NAN

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Dr Ashiru Mikail, vice president of the association made this known during a news conference on Monday in Zaria.

Mikail said that the association on July 15, gave management of the hospital a one-week ultimatum to address their demands or be faced with a warning strike.

He said that the ultimatum expired on Sunday, hence the commencement of the warning strike.

The president said that the association would reconvene to review its strategy after the warning strike with a view to determine the next line of action.

Mikail said that the association rejected percentage salary payments for members on the GIFMIS platform, and demanded repayment of parts of their salaries withheld.

According to him, in June, the salaries of affected members were slashed by about 25 to 27 per cent representing N58, 000 to N60, 000.

He explained that the doctors that were paid in percentage in June were being owed salary arrears of 2021.

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“In spite of the harsh economic challenges in the country, no reasonable reasons for the deductions were advanced to the association by the management.

“The management proposed to pay N2 million to offset the arrears of accoutrement allowance per month from the overhead cost.

“This amount can only pay N5, 000 per member monthly as against the N100, 000 owed each member.

“More than 60 per cent of  the Federal Tertiary Health institutions in the North West zone have commenced payments of the arrears of accoutrement allowance but ABUTH has not, but rather proposed to pay N5,000 instead of N25,000,” he  said.

He said that the association demanded the implementation of the 25 per cent CONMESS upward review to the salaries of members who were on  GIFMIS platform among other demands.

Source: NAN

The post ABUTH resident doctors begin five-day warning strike appeared first on Frontpageng.

Its national president, Dr Innocent Orji, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, via a Whatsapp message to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

According to him, a review will be made in two weeks.

He said “we just suspended the strike. Work to resume by 8 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, August 12).

“We will review progress made in two weeks.”

This comes after series of interventions by various stakeholders for the association to either embark on the industrial action in the first place or to suspend it earlier.

To avert the industrial action, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, on July 24 urged the resident doctors to suspend the strike.

Abbas made the call at a meeting between the leadership of the House and NARD in Abuja.

He said, “I would urge you to suspend the industrial action while we intervene, and seek your understanding of the fact that a new administration just came on board.”

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He added that the administration was still in the process of settling down as ministers had yet to assume office.

Also, in addition to the strike, the association had planned to stage protests and picket tertiary health institutions and the Federal Ministry of Health.

However, following the intervention of the Presidency and the Senate President, the protests were suspended.

Members of the association embarked on indefinite strike to press home their demands.

The demands include the immediate payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund, MRTF, immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement and payment of skipping arrears.

Others are upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to omitted doctors.

Also demanded was the reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.

The association also demanded the payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in state tertiary health institutions and payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.

Source: NAN

The post Resident doctors suspend nationwide strike appeared first on Frontpageng.

The association gave the notice on Saturday in a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH.

The letter which has “Notice of Nationwide Mass Protests and Picketing” as its title by NARD was signed by its president, Dr. Emeka Orji and  Secretary-General, Dr Chikezie Kelechi.

According to the doctors, it was the decision of the National Executive Council of NARD to embark on such action.

“We wish to bring to your notice, the decision of the National Executive Council of NARD to embark on daily peaceful protests and picketing of FMOH, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.”

It added that all federal and state tertiary health institutions nationwide, would be affected by the strike which takes effect from August 9 at 10.00 a.m.

“This has become necessary to press home our demands which have been largely neglected by our parent ministry and the federal government.

“We are pained that rather than make genuine and concerted efforts to resolve the challenges that led to the industrial action in spite of repeated ultimatums, our parent ministry and the federal government have chosen to demonise Nigerian resident doctors instead, after all their sacrifices and patriotism.

“We therefore resolved that it is time the whole world hears our side of the story, the decay and corruption in the health sector as well as the neglect, the public health institutions have suffered all these years that led to repeated industrial actions,” it stated.

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The association, however, said that it believed that the government still had time to genuinely address the issues at stake before August 9, or leave it with no other option.

The resident doctors embarked on indefinite strike on July 26.

The major demands of the association are immediate payment of 2023 Medical  Residency Training Fund, MRTF, immediate release of the circular on one-for-one replacement and payment of skipping arrears.

Others are the upward review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, in line with full salary restoration to the 2014 value of CONMESS and payment of the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage to the omitted doctors.

Also demanded is reversal of the downgrading of the membership certificate by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN.

Other demands include the payment of MRTF, new hazard allowance, skipping and implementation of corrected CONMESS in State Tertiary Health Institutions and payment of omitted hazard allowance arrears.

Meanwhile, the federal government had on Tuesday through a letter to all concerned issued a ‘no work, no pay’ policy following the doctors’ on-going strike.

The action is to serve as deterrent to other health workers.

Source: NAN

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